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Porto-Novo, also called "Parangipettai(பரங்கிப்பேட்டை),

Historically called Porto Novo is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the
Indian state of Tamil Nadu.PortoNovo is situated on the north bank of the mouth
of Vellar at a distance of 32km from Cuddalore and 22Km from Chidambaram. Porto
Novo was an important trade centre during colonial era. Portuguese were the first
European settlers of this place from whom it passed into the possession of the Dutch
and finally handed it over to the English in 1824. This town has a large Muslim
population engaged mostly in sea-trade. Today, Parangipettai is mainly a fishing
village. Parangipettai has a Marine Biology Station affiliated with the Annamalai
University.

History

Parangipettai means "the place of foreigners" in Tamil. The town was called
Porto Novo by the Portuguese who controlled the region from early 16th century to
early 18th century when they were defeated by the British. This town was also called
as "Mahmood Banthar" by the time of Mughal Empire period. The town flourished
as an industrial centre during the British rule, Iron made here was exported to
England. The Second Anglo-Mysore War was also fought here between Hyder Ali and
the British under Sir Eyre Coote in July 1781.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census GRIndia, Parangipettai had a population of 20,901. Males
constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Parangipettai has an average literacy
rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and
female literacy is 69%. In Parangipettai, 12% of the population is under 6 years
of age.